My Internet service went out two weeks ago, and AT&T confirmed my suspicion that my DSL modem was dead. I had a 2-Wire Wireless Gateway that was provided by AT&T when I first got DSL about 18 months ago. The guy at the AT&T store said they had a lot of these 2-Wire modems go out after 18 months, so I sure didn't went to get another one. AT&T said any DSL modem should work on their service.

I went to Fry's and BestBuy, and they had empty shelf spaces instead of DSL modems. What I wanted was a Netgear DSL modem, combined in one unit with an 802.11n wireless gateway, but 802.11g would have been accptable. Fry's and three BestBuy stores had shelf space and price tags for three of these, but no merchandise. Amazon had one, but said there was 4-6 weeks waiting time (which usually means they'll never have it in stock). Linksys/Cisco had nothing at all.

I ended up with an 802.11n wireless gateway with DSL modem from TRENDnet, a company I'd never heard of. It didn't connect automatically to my DSL, and AT&T said they didn't support that modem and couldn't help me. TRENDnet gave me the settings information and got me connected, but I really haven't had a solid Internet connection since I got this modem. I finally found a Netgear unit at amazon.mudcat.org, and it shipped yesterday - but the customer reviews I read are mixed, so I hope this new modem will work.

But why was it so hard for me to find a brand-name DSL modem? Why are the store shelves empty?

And one more question: can anybody give me some hints on tweaking the settings of my new modem, so I get the strongest connection possible?

-Joe-